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Graduate special: Insider tips for getting postgrad funding

24 October 2007

If doing a PhD is all about creativity and free thinking, Mbou Eyole-Monono started early. Before he even began his doctorate in the Computer Lab at the University of Cambridge, he was turning over every stone to find funding. Now, no less than three groups are backing him&colon; his college, the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and a leading microprocessor design company called ARM, where he worked during his summer vacations when he was an undergraduate.

Securing this funding has given him more than just a bit of extra cash. “Receiving contributions from varied sources within the university and in industry has made me aware of the wider implications of my research and has provided me with a great deal of determination,” he says.

As well as casting your net wide like Eyole-Monono, there are a few other things you can do to increase your chances of winning funding for a postgrad. First, prepare yourself for the fact that the process needs time and effort. “Allow twice as much time for researching funding options as you do programme choices,” says Andrew Matthews, director of the graduate school at the University of Durham. “Not because the funding is more important, but simply because the situation is so complex.” Luckily, many university websites now have databases of awards, covering research councils and their own bursaries – plenty of which match the typical stipend for a PhD from one of the research councils.

Allow twice as much time for researching funding options

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Industry-sponsored placements are also available through the research councils. One route is through a CASE studentship, offered by many pharmaceutical, chemical and engineering companies. You could win around a third on top of the basic stipend plus a minimum three-month placement on the job. There are additional benefits of industry sponsorship. “A continual connection with the company offered me more exposure to industry than the norm for a PhD, as well as providing an additional pool of knowledge to ask for advice on aspects of my research,” says Eyole-Monono.

£12,940 The minimum annual PhD stipend for students starting in 2008*

Another way to go is taking out a career development loan, provided by the Department for Employment and Learning together with certain banks. You just need to persuade them that the study will help you obtain work. However, it’s worth noting that some banks may offer graduate loans at more competitive rates.

If you’re still at university, remember that when it comes to funding, there’s some truth in the old adage that getting ahead is about who you know. So if you are even just vaguely interested in further study, try to let people in your department know early. If a topic grabs your attention, go and discuss it with your lecturer. Most are keen to talk to people who are interested, and they may just think of you when a funded place comes up.

Finally, don’t despair if you don’t secure all the funding you apply for. During your postgrad, there will be plenty of opportunities for tutoring and marking – which could easily pocket you an extra Â£1000 a year or more, as well as adding yet more useful skills to your CV.

Careers – Find out how to make the most of your career in our comprehensive special report.